gratz historical society

GRATZ, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released History of Lykens Township Volume 2, compiled by the Gratz Historical Society.

About the Book:Lykens Township is perhaps the largest township in Dauphin County. It borders Mifflin Township on the west, Northumberland County on the north, Schuylkill County on the east, and Short Mountain on the south.

The history of the area as related in Volume Two, begins slightly west of the point where Route 25 meets North Crossroads, at the western edge where Lykens and Mifflin Township meet. North Crossroads runs from Spain, which lies a short distance beyond, and is also part of Lykens Township. From this point the history details the remaining eastward part of the township.

Although there has been some population growth, Lykens Township has remained primarily a rural farming community, retaining its timeless character.

There are histories and many photographs, as well as other information for each of the early homes and families. Also of country schools, the churches, and other historic landmarks.

The book contains a table of contents, also an index to genealogies, in addition to the index of individual names found in the book.

The Gratz Historical Society (8 W Market St Gratz, PA 17030) is having an open house Saturday April 22 and April 29 featuring the new volume. Copies of Volume 1 are also for sale, as well as other publications related to the community.

COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY or wherever books are sold.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for February. The Gratz Historical Society’s History of Lyken Township Volume Two took the top spot. Beagle Tales VI by Bob Ford was runner up.

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for February, 2016 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

NEW

History of Lykens Township Volume 2

Gratz Historical Society

History

2

NEW

Beagle Tales VI

Bob Ford

Humor

3

—

Dinorific Poetry Volume 1

Mike & Ethan Sgrignoli

Childrens

4

2

Seinsoth

Steven k Wagner

Sports Biography

5

41

Call Sign Dracula

Joe Fair

Vietnam Memoir

6

—

The B Team

Alan Mindell

Sports Fiction

7

—

The Closer

Alan Mindell

Sports Fiction

8

—

Bravo!

Guy Graybill

Music History

9

5

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last, 2nd Ed.

Mike Campbell

History

10

—

Freemasons at Gettysburg

Sheldon Munn

History

11

8

The Sign of the Eagle

Jess Steven Hughes

Historical Fiction

12

1

Embattled Freedom

Jim Remsen

History

13

NEW

Planet Jesus #1: Flesh & Blood

Doug & Shaun Brode

Supernatural Fiction

14

NEW

Tories, Terror, and Tea

John L Moore

History

15

—

American Berserk

Bill Morris

Memoir

16

9

Living in the Afterlife

Michele Livingston

Spirituality

17

40

Cast Iron Signs of Pennsylvania Towns and Other Landmarks

N Clair Clawser

History

18

15

Pit Bulls

Anthony Julian

History

19

20

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

20

—

OneWay: The Oracle

Robin McClellan

Supernatural Fiction

21

26

Jesus the Phoenician

Karim El Koussa

History

22

7

Warriors, Wampum, and Wolves

John L Moore

History

23

12

Settlers, Soldiers, and Scalps

John L Moore

History

24

30

Rivers, Raiders, and Renegades

John L Moore

History

25

24

Traders, Travelers, and Tomahawks

John L Moore

History

26

45

The Ripper’s Haunts

Michael Hawley

History

27

14

Pioneers, Prisoners, and Peace Pipes

John L Moore

History

28

35

Cannons, Cattle, and Campfires

John L Moore

History

29

25

The Wolf of Britannia Part I

Jess Steven Hughes

Historical Fiction

30

19

Forts, Forests, and Flintlocks

John L Moore

History

31

18

Bows, Bullets, and Bears

John L Moore

History

32

27

The Descendants of Johann Peter Klinger …

Max Klinger

Geneaology

33

NEW

Dead of Spring

Sherry Knowlton

Thriller Fiction

34

13

Mary Sachs

Barbara Trainin-Blank

Biography

35

—

Messages from Beyond

Michele Livingston

Spirituality

36

—

OneWay

Robin McClellan

Supernatural Fiction

37

49

The Devil Tree

Keith Rommel

Thriller Fiction

38

17

Keystone Corruption Continues

Brad Bumsted

History

39

34

Hour 30

Brandon Musgrave

Memoir

40

—

The Relations of Milton Snavely Hershey

Lawrence Knorr

Geneaology

41

—

The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping

William Cook

True Crime

42

—

Where Elephants Fought

Bridget Smith

Historical Fiction

43

—

Well I’ll be Hanged

Tim Dempsey

History

44

37

Indian Villages and Place Names in PA

George Donehoo

History

45

50

Digging Dusky Diamonds

John Lindermuth

History

46

—

Der Lange Verborgene Freund

John George Hohman

Spirituality

47

—

Keystone Tombstones Volume 3

Joe Farrell and Joe Farley

History

48

—

Keystone Tombstones Volume 1

Joe Farrell and Joe Farley

History

49

—

The Sea is a Thief

David Parmalee

Historical Fiction

50

21

That Night at Surigao

Ernie Marshall

History

The Gratz Historical Society’s local history “The History of Lykens Township Volume 2,” was #1 due to advance sales leading up to its release in April. Bob Ford’s humorous “Beagle Tales VI” continues a successful string of releases by the writer, took #2 thanks to sales in the beagling community. Mike & Ethan Sgrignoli’s “Dinorific Poetry Volume 1” bounced back to #3 due to author events. Steven K Wagner’s biography “Seinsoth” about the Dodger who almost was took #4 due to bookstore sales. Joe Fair’s Vietnam history, “Call Sign Dracula” was strong at #5 thanks to author activities.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for September. The Gratz Historical Society’sHistory of Lykens Township Volume 1 took the top spot. Hatched by Robert Barsky was runner up.

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for September, 2016 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

NEW

History of Lykens Township Volume 1

Gratz Historical Society

History

2

5

Hatched

Robert Barksy

Literary Fiction

3

2

Wonder Boy: The Story of Carl Scheib

Lawrence Knorr

Sports Biography

4

3

Keystone Corruption Continues

Brad Bumsted

History

5

8

Cast Iron Signs of Pennsylvania Towns and Other Landmarks

N Clair Clawser

History

6

7

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last, 2nd Ed.

Mike Campbell

History

7

4

Living in the Afterlife

Michele Livingston

Spirituality

8

25

Call Sign Dracula

Joe Fair

Vietnam Memoir

9

—

Shadows in the Shining City

John Cressler

Historical Fiction

10

—

Freemasons at Gettysburg

Sheldon Munn

History

11

11

Where Elephants Fought

Bridget Smith

Historical Fiction

12

—

Emeralds of the Alhambra

John Cressler

Historical Fiction

13

14

Raising Monarchs

Sue Fox McGovern

Nature

14

NEW

The Silver Coin

Marie Sontag

YA Fiction

15

—

Jesus Runs Away

Joe Farrell

Memoir

16

27

Pit Bulls

Anthony Julian

History

17

17

Dying for Vengeance

J M West

Thriller Fiction

18

—

Keystone Tombstones Sports

Joe Farrell and Joe Farley

History

19

—

Keystone Tombstones Volume 2

Joe Farrell and Joe Farley

History

20

—

Keystone Tombstones Volume 3

Joe Farrell and Joe Farley

History

21

—

The Cursed Man

Keith Rommel

Thriller Fiction

22

26

Courting Doubt and Darkness

J M West

Thriller Fiction

23

40

Darkness and First Light

J M West

Thriller Fiction

24

—

Petrified

Tanya Reimer

YA Fiction

25

38

Forts, Forests, and Flintlocks

John L Moore

History

26

—

Behind Barbed Wire and High Fences

Phyllis Hochstetler

History

27

46

Bows, Bullets, and Bears

John L Moore

History

28

—

The Wolf of Britannia Part I

Jess Steven Hughes

Historical Fiction

29

—

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

30

19

Maybe Tomorrow

Mela Suśe Vigil Duran Carvalko

Memoir

31

NEW

My Brother’s Mountain

John Timmerman

YA Fiction

32

16

Fatal Snow

Robert Walton

Thriller Fiction

33

—

Letters from a Shoebox

James Dohren

History

34

42

Warriors, Wampum, and Wolves

John L Moore

History

35

1

A Year of Change & Consequences

Mark Singel

Political Memoir

36

39

Settlers, Soldiers, and Scouts

John L Moore

History

37

47

Traders, Travelers, and Tomahawks

John L Moore

History

38

34

Hidden Dangers

Bob Stout

Geopolitics

39

48

Rivers, Raiders, and Renegades

John L Moore

History

40

—

The Complete Story of the Worldwide Invasion of the Orange Orbs

Terry Ray

Paranormal

41

31

That Night at Surigao

Ernie Marshall

History

42

—

A Brother’s Cold Case

Dennis Herrick

Thriller Fiction

43

15

The Mask of Minos

Robert Walton

Thriller Fiction

44

—

General John Fulton Reynolds

Lawrence Knorr

History

45

44

Pioneers, Prisoners, and Peace Pipes

John L Moore

History

46

—

OneWay: The Oracle

Robin McClellon and Ruth Watson

Visionary Fiction

47

43

Hour 30

Brandon Musgrave

Memoir

48

49

Messages from Beyond

Michele Livingston

Spirituality

49

—

The Wolf of Britannia Part II

Jess Steven Hughes

Historical Fiction

50

—

The Sign of the Eagle

Jess Steven Hughes

Historical Fiction

The Gratz Historical Society’s “History of Lykens Township Volume 1” was #1 due to advance orders at the society. Robert Barksy’s “Hatched” soared to #2 thanks to author events and an advertisement in the New Yorker. Lawrence Knorr’s “Wonder Boy: The Story of Carl Scheib – The Youngest Player in American League History” continued to sell briskly due to seasonal interest, taking #3. Brad Bumsted’s expose “Keystone Corruption Continues” ranked #4 due to interest in the Kathleen Kane trial, and Brad’s numerous media appearances. “Cast Iron Signs of Pennsylvania Towns” by N Clair Clawser took the 5th spot thanks to orders processed by the author.

Gratz, PA (July 7, 2016) — Former major league baseball player Carl Scheib, the subject of the recent biography Wonder Boy: The Story of Carl Scheib — The Youngest Player in American League History, traveled to his hometown of Gratz, Pennsylvania from his residence in San Antonio, Texas for a presentation and book signing on Thursday July 7th, 2016, held at the Gratz Community Center. The event was organized by the Gratz Historical Society. ABC27 from Harrisburg and The Citizen Standard covered the event, which was well-attended–over 120 people were present.

Following is a transcript of the remarks made by Lawrence Knorr, the author or Wonder Boy:

Welcome everyone! What a turnout! Thank you so much for coming out this evening to support Carl Scheib. Carl, Sunbury Press, and the Gratz Historical Society all thank you for doing so.

My name is Lawrence Knorr. I am the author of Wonder Boy: The Story of Carl Scheib — The Youngest Player in American League History. My ancestors are from the nearby Mahantongo Valley, near the village of Rough and Ready and Salem Church, just a few miles from here. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the valley, crossing over Mahantongo Moutain. At the peak, I looked out and saw the beautiful Mahantongo Valley before me with the Salem Church nestled below. It was a sight to see. I have collaborated in several books about the area, and as the owner of Sunbury Press, have published a number of books about the region, including those by Steve Troutman, whom many of you know.

So, many people have asked me … why write a book about Carl Scheib? Some have even asked me if I did it because I was related to him. The truth starts with a funny story. A few years ago, while working with Joe Farrell and Joe Farley of the Keystone Tombstones series, which we publish, I was looking for interesting stories for their Sportsvolume. I stumbled across Carl’s story online — the youngest player in modern history when he came up — and saw he was from Gratz, Pennsylvania. Given his age, I figured he was probably dead and buried in Pennsylvania. The Joes write about famous or noteworthy people buried in Pennsylvania. So, I called the Joes and told them about Carl, and they were intrigued. A few days later, I had dug further into Carl’s situation and found him alive and well in San Antonio, Texas. I called the Joes back and let them know Carl was off the list — he was still alive! They expressed a little disappointment, and then I declared I would write his biography anyway.

I reached out to Carl with a letter and soon we were talking on the phone and via the mail. We agreed it would be best to meet in person at his home. My wife, Tammi, and I flew to San Antonio and spent three days with Carl reviewing his memorabilia and photographs and interviewing him about his life and his days in baseball. We also attended a couple Texas League games at the Missions ballpark. It was a lot of fun to watch a few games with Carl and talk about baseball.

The book took two years to write — part time — and was released by Sunbury Press last month. It relates the interesting story of Carl’s rise from high school ball to the major leagues at the age of 16, and recounts every major league appearance he made.

The story of Carl’s discovery, due to the actions of a local grocery clerk, Hannah Clark, and a traveling salesman, Al Grossman is somewhat apocryphal. The story was repeated again in a recent news article in the Harrisburg paper. What is not told is that Hannah was much more than a grocery clerk. She was Carl’s cousin! What also was not told accurately by Clifford Kachline back in 1948 in The Sporting News was story of Carl’s tryout. In those days, they embellished news stories to put a family-oriented spin on them. In the story, it was assumed Carl’s father drove him to the tryout in 1942, when Carl was 15. What he didn’t say was that Gummy Rothermal, an older pitcher on the Dalmatia team in the West Branch League drove Carl because he had a good car. Can you imagine two young lads, in 1942, driving on the two lane roads from the valley to Philadelphia — over 100 miles — to try out for a major league team? I can only imagine the conversation they had. I am sure Gummy hoped he’d get a tryout too, but that didn’t happen.

Carl had been a high school star in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Gratz won the baseball championship in 1941, and in 1942 with Carl as their ace pitcher. Carl was also invited to pitch for Dalmatia in the West Branch League … a town league of adult men who admitted teenage players during the war years.

Carl went to his tryout at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. It was raining that morning, and the game had been canceled. At first Carl thought the tryout was canceled too! But, after he found his way into the Athletics’ ballpark, he received his tryout in front of Connie Mack and others in the A’s brass. Connie told him to hurry back next year, after school was out.

Author Lawrence Knorr

Carl went home and did just that. The following spring, in 1943, after school was out, he quit high school and headed to Philadelphia. He initially was a batting practice pitcher, and then began taking trips on the train with the team. By September, he was ready to go, and signed a contract. At this point, his father came from Gratz to co-sign, since he was underage. Carl then entered his first game that day — against the New York Yankees!

When he walked onto the field, Carl was the youngest player in modern major league history. There had been some younger players back in the 1800s, but no one as young as Carl, at 16 years, had played major league baseball since. He was used sparingly in relief the rest of the way and had respectable numbers. The next year, a 15 year old named Joe Nuxhall threw less than an inning of crappy ball giving up five runs on five walks and two hits. Nuxhall then went to the minors and did not return for seven years! Carl stuck in the big leagues and got better and better. Personally, I think there should be an asterisk next to Nuxhall’s appearance, but it is, what it is. Carl is still the youngest player to have ever appeared in the American League.

Carl was with the A’s the whole season in 1944, and then when he turned 18, in 1945, he was drafted into the Army early that season. Fortunately, the war was ending when Carl went off to Germany as one of the occupation troops. He was stationed at Nuremburg during the trials. He participated on two different teams in the Army, and won nearly all of his games, including the GI championship in Germany.

Upon his return in 1947, Carl was back with the A’s and continued what many would say was just an “average” major league career. But I disagree. Carl played 11 seasons at the highest level of his sport. Not many players do that. He had not played in the minor leagues before coming to the majors, and had performed very well at a very young age. Anyone who makes a major league is one of the top players in the sport, and Carl played at that level for over a decade. So no, Carl was not a hall-of-famer, or a World Series winner, or an All-Star, but he was a solid performer for many years, who did some remarkable things, some of which I will talk about in a few minutes.

Connie Mack — Connie Mack was involved with the Philadelphia A’s from their beginning, and spent over 50 years in baseball from the late 1800s into the 1950s. His teams in the early 20th century were the “Yankees” before the Yankees became good. Carl was signed and managed by Connie Mack, one of the all-time greats. So, Carl’s career, thanks to Mack, bridges all the way back to the early days of major league baseball, and carries into the golden era.

World War II — Many players got their opportunities to play thanks to a lot of the players entering the service. Carl was someone who benefited from this situation. This is an interesting era in baseball history, which has been studied quite a bit. Quite a few of these players were older and were called up from the minors to play. Many of their careers ended when the boys came home. Carl was not one of them. He stuck — and got better when the best players were back.

A’s last pennant race — The A’s were in Philadelphia until the late 1950s, when they moved to Kansas City and then onto Oakland. We now know them as the Oakland A’s and many can remember the great teams of the 1970s. But the Kansas City A’s never were in the pennant race, so it was the 1948 A’s of Philadelphia, who last challenged for the lead. This team was in first place as late as August, with Carl as one of their star pitchers having his best season. Even after the A’s faded, Carl continued to pitch well as the Indians, Red Sox, and Yankees battled for the championship. The last week of the season, Carl beat the Yankees, denying them the pennant, allowing the Indians to win. Under pressure, Carl was brilliant, and was somewhat of a Yankee-killer at that time.

Integration — Carl played through the era when baseball became integrated — when Jackie Robinson entered the National League, and Larry Doby entered the American League. Carl faced Doby on a number of occasions, and usually didn’t do too well against him. The A’s hired a heckler to harass Doby when he was in Philadelphia. Some of it was good-natured, but a lot of it was shameful and mean. In fact, Carl related in the book that the other players were hard on the African-American players, treating them very badly. Carl felt sorry for them.

All-Time Greats — Carl got to meet some of the all-time great ballplayers. He was coached by Chief Bender, and Al Simmons. He also met Babe Ruth during Connie Mack’s celebration of 50 years in baseball. So, Carl interacted with some of the greatest old-time ballplayers.

Opponents — Carl played against some of the greatest players of all time during baseball’s golden era, and often got the better of them. He faced Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, Yogi Berra, Larry Doby, Mickey Mantle, and many more. On the mound, his opponents were Satchel Paige, Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Hal Newhouser, and others.

Did Great Things — Carl threw complete game shutouts, hit a grand slam against the White Sox, hit four other major league homeruns, had many clutch wins and saves, and even clutch hits as a batter.

Good hitter — Carl was a good-hitting pitcher. He could have been an outfielder, and played in the outfield in a couple games. He was also a key pinch hitter. One year he hit .396 — in over 50 at bats — in the major leagues. This is tough to do! He was a lifetime .250 hitter. One game in particular made me laugh. It was really remarkable. Carl was pitching a complete game. It was tied into the bottom of the 9th. With a couple men on base, guess who came up to bat — Carl. Now, these days, how likely is it that a manager is going to allow the pitcher to bat in the bottom of the 9th of a tie game. This doesn’t happen anymore! Ever! So, Carl is allowed to bat, and what does he do? He gets the game-winning walk-off hit! I looked into this a little bit, and I don’t know of any other instances where a starting pitcher, throwing a complete game, has the walk-off hit to end the game. It certainly hasn’t happened in quite awhile, if at all. Admittedly, I didn’t look too hard, but it is remarkable nonetheless. In another game, in the minor leagues, near the end of his career, the manager was thrown out of the game for some reason, and Carl being one of the older players on the team, was asked to manage the rest of the way. Along comes the bottom of the 9th, and the game is tied. There are a couple of men on. Guess who Carl, the manager, inserts as a pinch-hitter? Himself! And, guess what he did? He got a hit – a walk-off hit to win the game.

So, in summary, Carl was simply a great country ballplayer. On better teams, or with better management, or modern technology, I am sure he would have had an even better, and perhaps longer career. Carl truly was and is the “Wonder Boy” from Gratz!

Thank you ….

“Hass” Hassenger then spoke for a few minutes. He is the only other surviving member from the Gratz HS championship teams. He reminisced about the old days when they were boys playing ball in the valley.

Carl Scheib then answered questions and told jokes and stories for about 45 minutes.

(The entire program was recorded on video by The Gratz Historical Society and is available on DVD from them.)

Copies of the book Wonder Boy, and all other Sunbury Press books can be purchased wherever books are sold. A few signed copies will be offered by The Gratz Historical Society while supplies last. The book can also be purchased directly from Sunbury Press at: